PETALING JAYA, July 26 — The Sessions Court has ordered the defence in autistic boy Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matiin’s death to report to the relevant authorities if there is content in social media regarding the case that invites sub judice comments contemptuous of the court.
Judge Syahliza Warnoh decided the matter after lawyer Fahmi Abd Moin, representing Zayn's parents Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf, told the court that five TikTok accounts had made videos with live broadcasts on the case that are subjudicial.
She said the court had issued a gag order during the proceedings.
“But, if there are further complaints about this matter, the defence can complain to the relevant authorities.
"The court wants to remind all parties again, especially the public, not to make subjudicial comments that are in contempt of court," Judge Syahliza said.
Earlier, Fahmi, assisted by lawyer Ilyani Khuszairy, informed the court that five TikTok accounts uploaded videos, which he said were aimed at making subjudicial and damaging comments to the case.
The accounts include @CEO Zayn Rayyan, @MyrasKitchen00, @cikpika_pika_ii, @BeMalaysian2.0, and @MalaikatMaut382. He likened their act to cyberbullying both the accused and the defence in the case.
“We request that the five operators of these accounts be subject to a prohibition order, and if they violate the order, our client will make a report to the police," Fahmi said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Qistini Qamarul Abrar said the prosecution had not yet had time to check the TikTok accounts as they were only notified about the matter today.
"We request the defence to make a new application accompanied by an affidavit to be shown to the court. At this stage, we feel that the request (by the defence) is premature,” but I leave it to the discretion of the court," he said.
Fahmi then requested the court to issue a judicial notice as a warning to the five TikTok account holders.
On June 13, Zaim and Ismanira were jointly charged at the Sessions Court with neglecting their six-year-old son, which may have caused him physical injury last year. Both pleaded not guilty.
They were alleged to have committed the offence between 12pm on December 5 and at 9.55pm the following day (December 6) along Jalan PJU 10/1 in Damansara Damai.
The couple was charged Section 31 (1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, and is punishable under Section 31(1) of the Child Act, which provides a maximum fine of RM50,000 or jail for not more than 20 years or both upon conviction.
Zayn was found on December 6 last year in a stream near his home at Idaman Damansara Damai Apartments here, a day after he was reported missing.
The autistic six-year-old is believed to have been murdered, as the autopsy revealed injuries on his neck and body, indicating a struggle.
— Bernama
